The flight of Ed Murray appointees continues with the resignation of Human Resources director Susan Coskey.
Mayor Jenny Durkan announced in a press release today that Coskey is stepping down after three years of service. Melissa Beatty, who currently serves as Chief of Staff for the HR department, will takeover Coskey’s duties as the Durkan administration searches for a permanent replacement.
Coskey, who has a background in consulting, was a key figure in shaping Murray’s staff. She made $184,000 annually, according to a database of Seattle city employee salaries maintained by the News Tribune.
News of Coskey’s resignation comes the same week Durkan sent a letter to cabinet members saying that she wants to improve sexual harassment reporting procedures for city employees. Who Durkan hires to replace Coskey will play a big role in whatever changes the mayor proposes.
“I have deep concerns that there is not a single system for investigating, resolving, tracking and broadly understanding employees’ experiences of harassment in the City,” she wrote in the letter.
Coskey was one of the recipients of a petition signed by 42 City Light employees alleging a culture of sexism and sexual harassment. Sydney Brownstone reported last month that some employees of that department expressed frustration that not enough was being done to address their concerns.
Durkan also announced that Deputy Parks Superintendent Christopher Williams will serve as acting director. Jesús Aguirre resigned as Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation before Durkan took office.
The press release also listed some department heads who will stay in their roles. They are as follows:
• Sam Assefa, Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development
• Kate Becker, Director of the Office of Film + Music
• Randy Engstrom, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture
• Jessica Finn Coven, Director of the Office of Sustainability & Environment
• Ben Noble, Director of the Budget Office
• Marshall Foster, Director of the Office of the Waterfront
• Glen Lee, City Finance Director
• Nathan Torgelson, Director of the Department of Construction and Inspections
